How can I get Linux security tools installed on my Windows Desktop instantly? Answer: Using VMware

Using VMware, now you can easily try out Linux security tools. Read on…

As I said in my previous post, VMware allows you to instantly install another instance of an OS on your computer system. In the case of Internet Security related tools, most are run on Linux platforms, such as these popular softwares:

  • Dsniff (packet sniffer)
  • John the Ripper (password cracker)
  • NmapFE (Nmap)
  • Chkrootkit (check for rootkits, etc.)

In the past, I’ve had to ask my students to install Linux on their original Windows computers before they can try out these software tools. But now, you can easily download the various VMware OS images of Linux to be run on your computer.

If you need to install the latest version of Fedora, Ubuntu, or Suse Linux to install your particular security tool, go straight to this link:
http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/directory/cat/45
and download your favorite Linux OS images.

VMware uses the term “Virtual Appliances” for all those preconfigured application images to be run directly on VMware software. There are a lot of people contributing to the creations of different Virtual Appliances now.

If you are a bit lazy and want an all-in-a-box solution, you can get some OSs with preconfigured security tools, such as with this link:
http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/1065 for Vulnerability Assessment, Intrusion Detection, and more.

Or try this one:
http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/348 for all the security tools you can imagine, such as Dsniff, John the Ripper, NBTscan, Nessus, NetCat NmapFE, Saint Scanner, Snort , ethereal, and more.

Of course, you can also look for other possible security related virtual appliances here:
http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/cat/47

Enjoy the convenient test environment brought to you by VMware!

Tags: John Ripper